Bluffton represented well on All-HCAC football squad

November 16, 2000

Bluffton College, co-champions of the Heartland Conference, was represented well on the All-HCAC team, as released November 15 by the HCAC office following the annual post-season meeting of the HCAC coaches.

Head Coach Carlin Carpenter has been named the HCAC Co-Coach of the Year and senior running back Tyson Goings has been named the HCAC Offensive MVP. Carpenter, who shares his award with Defiance head coach Greg Psconda, lead Bluffton to a share of the HCAC title despite graduating three honorable mention all-americans from last season and seeing the league's top receiver, Luke Habegger, midway through this season. Goings led the HCAC in rushing for the third straight year and scoring the past two seasons.

Bruns led the BC defense with 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and added six sacks, 53 tackles and recovered two fumbles. Ditz led Bluffton with 111 tackles, which ranked second in the HCAC, and added two interceptions. Fox and Poeppleman anchored the BC offensive line that led the HCAC in rushing offense and ranked second in total offense. Goetz ranked second on the team with 62 tackles and added four interceptions, five pass breakups and blocked three kicks. Moore led the league in pass efficiency as he completed 55.4% of his passes for 2,007 yards and 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions.

Three Bluffton players were named second team All-HCAC, including junior offensive guard Rick Orr, junior defensive back Josh Slaughter and senior outside linebacker Cliff Willoughby. Orr was another mainstay on the BC offensive line, while Slaughter registered 37 tackles and collected two interceptions and broke up seven passes. Willoughby ranked fifth on the squad with 51 tackles and broke up two passes.

Senior kicker Brandon Cupples and senior defensive tackle Demont Watkins were both named honorable mention All-HCAC. Cupples booted 34 PAT kicks and six field goals this season, including an HCAC record 49 yarder at Hanover, and ranked second on the team in points scored with 52. Watkins ranked fourth in the HCAC with seven sacks and added 50 tackles, 11 of which were behind the line of scrimmage.